INDIVIDUALS | Clean Air Michiana

We need people just like you to get involved, take action , and champion the cause for cleaner air.

INDIVIDUALS

Everyone can play a role in protecting our environment. Making small changes to your habits, we can make a difference in our air quality and may even save you money. These changes will help us all breathe a little easier.

Commit to doing your part in cleaning our air by making small changes to your habits and educating our neighbors about the importance of cleaner air. Learn more below and sign up for Air Quality Action Day alerts and more on the Get Involved page!

Ways Individuals Can Help

Turn off your car engine while waiting for a train to pass INDIVIDUAL ON THE ROAD

Avoid drive-thru windows and congested areas to save fuel and time INDIVIDUAL ON THE ROAD

Set all computers to sleep mode or to turn off, as opposed to using screen savers BUSINESS EMPLOYEE ACTIVITIES INDUSTRIAL ACTIVITIES INDIVIDUAL AT HOME

Driving at 55 mph rather than 65 mph can increase your mileage by over 15% INDIVIDUAL ON THE ROAD

Use lawn rakes, push mowers, and hand hedgers when possible INDIVIDUAL AT HOME

Avoid using oil-based paints, solvents, cleaners, varnishes, or other household and personal products that cause fumes INDIVIDUAL AT HOME

Choose water-based paints, stains, and sealers instead of similar oil-based products. If you must use oil-based coatings, ask about the availability of low-solvent versions INDIVIDUAL AT HOME

Put off using gas-powered tools on Air Quality Action Days. Small engines are a significant source of air pollution BUSINESS INDUSTRIAL ACTIVITIES

Keep tires properly inflated. Low pressure reduces gas mileage and the life of the tire INDIVIDUAL ON THE ROAD

When you barbeque, use a charcoal chimney or electric starter instead of charcoal lighter fluid INDIVIDUAL AT HOME

Assign a team or person to ensure that all lights and computers are off at the end of a workday BUSINESS EMPLOYEE ACTIVITIES

Encourage flextime to reduce peak hour roadway congestion BUSINESS EMPLOYEE ACTIVITIES

Maintain your vehicle and get regular engine tune-ups. Well-maintained vehicles create less pollution INDIVIDUAL ON THE ROAD

Consider allowing employees to telecommute from home when possible BUSINESS EMPLOYEE ACTIVITIES

Do not burn leaves and other yard waste INDIVIDUAL AT HOME

Compost your yard waste INDIVIDUAL AT HOME

Caulk, weather strip, and insulate your home. It will reduce summer cooling and winter heating bills INDIVIDUAL AT HOME

Conserve energy in your home, which improves air quality by reducing energy needs from power plants INDIVIDUAL AT HOME

Turn off vehicles when loading or unloading for more than 30 seconds BUSINESS FLEET MAINTENANCE ACTIVITIES INDIVIDUAL ON THE ROAD

Mow your lawn after 7 pm, especially on hot, sunny days INDIVIDUAL AT HOME

Buy energy efficient appliances INDIVIDUAL AT HOME

Avoid refueling your car on Air Quality Action Days. If you must refuel, do so only after 7 PM when sunlight is not as strong INDIVIDUAL ON THE ROAD

For short trips, walk or ride a bike INDIVIDUAL

Your car’s air conditioner can reduce gas mileage by 20%, so when possible, skip the AC INDIVIDUAL ON THE ROAD

Delay using lawn mowers and gas-powered tools. Small engines are a significant source of air pollution INDIVIDUAL AT HOME

Replace incandescent lighting with compact fluorescents BUSINESS INDIVIDUAL AT HOME INDUSTRIAL ACTIVITIES

Install renewable energy source technology such as wind, geothermal, or solar BUSINESS INDUSTRIAL ACTIVITIES

Properly recycle paper, plastic, glass bottles, aluminum cans, and cardboard BUSINESS EMPLOYEE ACTIVITIES INDUSTRIAL ACTIVITIES

Buying a new car? Consider getting a model rated to get 35 mpg or more INDIVIDUAL ON THE ROAD

Use teleconferencing instead of driving to meetings BUSINESS EMPLOYEE ACTIVITIES

Try fill up your car either early in the morning or later in the evening when it is typically cooler to reduce evaporation – and don’t top it off INDIVIDUAL ON THE ROAD

Organize lunch deliveries from popular restaurants BUSINESS EMPLOYEE ACTIVITIES

Delay refueling fleet vehicles and equipment until late afternoon or the next day BUSINESS FLEET MAINTENANCE ACTIVITIES

Close off unused areas of your home to reduce cooling needs INDIVIDUAL AT HOME

Create a special lunch discount in your cafeteria to encourage lunch onsite BUSINESS EMPLOYEE ACTIVITIES

Use household products and insecticides according to the manufacturer’s directions. Better yet, use simple substitutes (vinegar, baking soda, and borax) for cleaning and for pest control INDIVIDUAL AT HOME

Avoid using boats, motorcycles, and other small engine vehicles on hot, sunny days INDIVIDUAL AT HOME ON THE ROAD

Turn off appliances and lights when not in use BUSINESS INDIVIDUAL AT HOME INDUSTRIAL ACTIVITIES

Reward carpoolers with preferred parking BUSINESS EMPLOYEE ACTIVITIES

Plant deciduous trees around your house to provide shade in the summer and to allow light in the winter INDIVIDUAL AT HOME

Encourage employees to ride their bikes to work by providing bike racks or letting them keep their bikes indoors BUSINESS EMPLOYEE ACTIVITIES

Set your thermostat 1-3 degrees lower in the winter and higher in the summer BUSINESS INDIVIDUAL AT HOME INDUSTRIAL ACTIVITIES

Use paintbrushes or rollers instead of spray-painting to reduce the evaporation of paint fumes INDIVIDUAL AT HOME

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